Obstetric Anaesthesia Fees

Anaesthesia fees are derived from a ‘points system’ - a procedure will attract a number of ‘points’, called units. These are based on factors such as complexity of the procedure, the duration, your age, your health status, medical conditions and other factors (such as the use of special monitoring lines, nerve blocks, blood transfusions, epidurals, spinals etc.).

Emergencies (unplanned) and after hours procedures also attract more units. The AMA (Australian Medical Association) currently recommends a value per unit of $86. Your Anaesthetist may charge a rate of between $45 and $60 per unit, and often less when patients have needed multiple procedures.

What will I get back?

Your rebate/s come from Medicare and your Private Health Fund (if applicable). There are over 30 different Health funds in Australia, all varying in their level of rebate (cover). The Medicare rebate has remained relatively low for many years and has fallen well behind the rising costs of medical practice and the delivery of medical care.

The Health Fund rebate - is determined by your fund. Private Health funds in Australia operate under two Gap Cover Schemes, those that allow a co-payment (KNOWN GAP) and those that do not allow a co-payment (NO GAP). The AMG standard billing procedure is under the KNOWN GAP scheme. Therefore in most cases there will be a patient out of pocket (Gap) amount.

If you do not have Private Health Insurance, you will receive Medicare will still rebate you for around 20-30% of the fee.

Please note:

If you have a labour epidural performed and proceed to a caesarean section you will receive two Anaesthetic accounts as these are two independent episodes of care.

An epidural or caesarean section performed after-hours or as an emergency may attract additional fees.

** After Hours is Monday-Friday 8pm – 8am, all day Saturday and Sunday and Public Holidays